Gravesend schoolgirl seriously injured after being hit by a car then dragged under a bus (From News Shopper)

Gravesend schoolgirl seriously injured after being hit by a car then dragged under a bus

9:04am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Sam Christie

A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD girl was hit by a car then dragged under a bus on the school run in Gravesend this morning. (March 6)

Jade Phillips, a pupil at St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, was crossing the road towards a parade of shops when she was knocked into the path of the Arriva 480 bus at 8.15am.

Emergency services were called to Rochester Road - between Empress Road and Old Road East - and firefighters used air bags to release the young girl before she was rushed to King’s College Hospital in London.

Paramedics say her injuries are “serious” but not life-threatening.

A shop assistant, who saw the whole incident but did not wish to named, told News Shopper the girl was with a group of friends crossing the road to visit K’s Convenience store when she was hit.

He said: “It was shocking, she was dragged for about five metres until the bus stopped.

“People tried moving her but she could not be moved.”

Chris Sofroniou, 50, who owns Papa’s fish and chip shop in Rochester Road, rushed out to try to help the stranded girl.

He told News Shopper: “When I came out I saw a girl wedged under the bus, next to the front wheels, plastered in blood.

“She was face down on the road. All you could see was the top of her buttocks.”

Richard Lewis, Arriva’s regional marketing manager, said: “Early reports indicate that the child was hit by a car on the other side of the carriageway and then thrown into the path of our bus travelling in the opposite direction.

“We are fully co-operating with the police investigation into this extremely tragic situation and at the moment our thoughts are with the family of the young girl as she is treated for her injuries.”

Kent Police officers shut Rochester Road Milton Road and East Milton Road at the junction with Rochester Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.